Branco debut

Brazilian striker Rodrigo Branco said it was an unbelievable moment to finally make his Fleetwood Town debut.

By Tom Bestwick

Brazilian striker Rodrigo Branco said it was an unbelievable moment to finally make his Fleetwood Town debut.

The 21-year-old came on as a second half substitute in Tuesdays 3-1 defeat to Accrington Stanley to make his first appearance since joining Town in the summer, and although Branco has had to wait to make his first appearance in Fleetwood colours, he says he is very happy to finally get his chance.
Branco said: “I’m very happy, I’m very pleased to be here, I am always working hard, and waiting for my opportunity, the gaffer gave me the opportunity and I tried to play good and help the team, but we didn’t get the result today, but we will keep working hard, and get the result next game.
“It was a little bit difficult, we was losing 3-0, and then we scored when I came on in to the game, I tried to help, we didn’t get the result, but we will try in the next game.
“It wasn’t a great night for the team, but for me it was unbelievable, my first game here in England, like a pro, I’m happy, very happy.”
Despite Town’s defeat, Branco was inches away from capping off a perfect debut with a goal, but his header was just wide on this occasion, as he goes in search of his first goal in league football.
He added: “I tried to score a header, it was close, very close and I will try and do it next time.”
Branco has spent most of this season on loan at Lancaster City, a loan spell that the Brazilian forward greatly benefitted from as he played a lot of first team football, and was also a regular on the score sheet as he quickly become a fans favourite.
“It is always difficult, I came from another country, I need to adapt for English football. I went on loan (Lancaster City) and played some games and scored some goals, but now I think I am getting better, and getting used to English football.”
With injury plaguing the Fleetwood forward line, Branco is looking to stake a claim to become a first team regular in the next few weeks, and he hopes to get more time under his belt to impress Micky Mellon.
“I hope so, I am very happy and we will see what happens.”